Kearns Sayre Syndrome

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Kearns Sayre Syndrome is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Chronic Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia and Myopathy
CPEO with Myopathy
CPEO with Ragged-Red Fibers
KSS
Mitochondrial Cytopathy, Kearn-Sayre Type
Oculocraniosomatic Syndrome (obsolete)
Ophthalmoplegia, Pigmentary Degeneration of the Retina and Cadiomyopathy
Kearns-Sayre Disease
Chronic Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia with Ragged Red Fibers
Ophthalmoplegia Plus Syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Kearns-Sayre Syndrome is a rare neuromuscular disorder characterized by three primary findings: progressive paralysis of certain eye muscles (chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia [CPEO]); abnormal accumulation of colored (pigmented) material on the nerve-rich membrane lining the eyes (atypical retinitis pigmentosa), leading to chronic inflammation, progressive degeneration, and wearing away of certain eye structures (pigmentary degeneration of the retina); and heart disease (cardiomyopathy) such as heart block. Other findings may include muscle weakness, short stature, hearing loss, and/or the loss of ability to coordinate voluntary movements (ataxia) due to problems affecting part of the brain (cerebellum). In some cases, Kearns-Sayre Syndrome may be associated with other disorders and/or conditions.

Kearns-Sayre Syndrome belongs (in part) to a group of rare neuromuscular disorders known as mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies are disorders in which a defect in genetic material arises from a part of the cell structure that releases energy (mitochondria), causing the brain and muscles to function improperly (encephalomyopathies). In these disorders, abnormally high numbers of defective mitochondria are present. In approximately 80 percent of cases of Kearns-Sayre Syndrome, tests will reveal missing genetic material (deletion) involving the unique DNA in mitochondria (mtDNA).

Resources

National Association for Visually Handicapped
22 West 21st Street
New York, NY 10010
USA
Tel: 2128893141
Fax: 2127272931
Email: staff@navh.org
Internet: http://www.navh.org

Foundation Fighting Blindness, Inc.
11435 Cronhill Drive
Owings Mills, MD 21117-2220
Tel: (410)568-0150
Fax: (410)363-2393
Tel: (800)683-5555
TDD: (800)683-5551
Email: info@blindness.org
Internet: http://www.fightblindness.org

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
Tel: (914)428-7100
Fax: (914)997-4763
Tel: (888)663-4637
Email: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Internet: http://www.marchofdimes.com

United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation
8085 Saltsburg Road
Suite 201
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
United States
Tel: 4127938077
Fax: 4127936477
Email: info@umdf.org
Internet: http://www.umdf.org

American Heart Association
National Center
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231-4596
Tel: (214)373-6300
Fax: (214)373-0268
Tel: (800)242-8721
Email: inquire@heart.org
Internet: http://www.americanheart.org

NIH/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
USA
Tel: 3014954484
Fax: 3017186366
Tel: 8772264267
TDD: 3015652966
Email: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info

NIH/National Eye Institute
Building 31 Rm 6A32
31 Center Dr MSC 2510
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
United States
Tel: 3014965248
Fax: 3014021065
Email: 2020@nei.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nei.nih.gov/

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda, MD 20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
Tel: (800)352-9424
Email: braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
USA
Tel: 9203365333
Fax: 9203390995
Tel: 8773365333
Email: mums@netnet.net
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 10/12/2007
Copyright 1987, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: October 12, 2007

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